Donkey Kong Bonanza’s Big Reveal and Why It Matters
Donkey Kong Bonanza kicks off with a surprise that had fans talking well before the game's release: a new companion character named Pauline, who’s a teenager in this version of the story. She's 13, confident, and definitely not the same version seen in Super Mario Odyssey, where Pauline appears as a full-grown mayor and performer.
This age gap immediately sparked the question — is Donkey Kong Bonanza a prequel? Could this be the backstory of Pauline’s rise in New Donk City? With the full game now in players' hands, we’ve got enough clues to dive deep into where exactly this story fits in Nintendo’s sprawling Donkey Kong and Mario timelines.
New Donk City Is Already There – And That Changes Everything
By the end of Bonanza, DK and Teenage Pauline break through to the surface, and where do they land? Right in New Donk City. The kicker is that the city already exists — not only is it functioning, but it's also widely known by its Kong-themed nickname: The Big Banana. This is more than just a fun reference to New York’s “Big Apple” nickname — it places the city squarely in a timeline where it has already been long established.
So, if New Donk City is already standing tall during Pauline’s teenage years, that directly contradicts the idea of Bonanza being the foundation story for the city itself. That’s one of the first signs that this might not be a prequel after all.
Pauline's Music and Her Voice’s Role in the Story
Teenage Pauline’s identity is built around her voice — quite literally. One of her major story arcs revolves around gaining the confidence to sing publicly. That sounds pretty familiar if you’ve played Odyssey, where Mayor Pauline leads the city’s biggest festival with her now-iconic song “Jump Up, Super Star!”
In Bonanza, Pauline performs transformation songs and is central to moments where music is used as power — something antagonist Voy Kong even tries to exploit. While this music connection draws a straight line to her older counterpart, it’s also a storytelling device hinting at a legacy of performance, not necessarily one single character aging through time.
The Grandma Clue – Why It Might Not Be the Same Pauline
One of the biggest hints that Nintendo drops in Bonanza is the repeated references to Teenage Pauline’s grandmother. She’s not just mentioned once — Pauline talks about her grandma a few times, and it’s always with affection and familiarity. It raises the question: is this grandmother someone we already know?
The most likely answer? Arcade Pauline — the damsel in distress from the original Donkey Kong arcade game. If she’s the grandmother, and Mayor Pauline is her daughter, then Teenage Pauline could actually be the third generation in this family tree.
Cranky Kong, Donkey Kong Jr., and the DK Legacy
This idea isn’t without precedent. The Donkey Kong family tree is already multilayered. Cranky Kong, known for his grouchy personality and long rants, is actually the original Donkey Kong from the arcade game. His son is Donkey Kong Jr., and the DK we see in Bonanza and other modern games is not Jr., but actually Donkey Kong III.
So if Donkey Kong gets a generational handoff, why not Pauline? Nintendo already introduced this concept on the Kong side. It would make perfect sense for Teenage Pauline to be Mayor Pauline’s daughter, especially given the similar talents and personality traits they share.
How Mario Fits In – Jumpman or Mario, or Both?
Bonanza also sneaks in a fun reference through Cranky Kong, who complains about his old rival in overalls. That’s a direct callback to Jumpman, Mario’s original name. This kind of meta-nod to past lore reminds players that time has passed — and that maybe the characters we know today are descendants, versions, or even replacements of the originals.
Which raises an odd possibility: if Pauline and Donkey Kong have generational timelines, does Mario?
The City’s Nickname as a Timeline Anchor
Back to New Donk City — the name “The Big Banana” isn’t just for laughs. It serves as a timeline clue. In Super Mario Odyssey, the nickname is used by locals and seems long-established. In Bonanza, Pauline uses the same nickname, implying the city already had this identity before the events of Odyssey.
This little detail helps build the case that Bonanza takes place after Odyssey, not before it. It doesn’t make much sense for the nickname to predate the city’s creation if this were a prequel.
What About the Poster in Odyssey Showing Blonde Pauline?
One confusing element is that in Super Mario Odyssey, a billboard in New Donk City shows a blonde version of Pauline — something more in line with her arcade design. This could just be a fun Easter egg. Or it could imply that the city honors the original Arcade Pauline and keeps her image alive through pop culture.
If so, then Mayor Pauline could be her daughter, and Teenage Pauline could be her granddaughter — keeping the legacy going across generations, not through a single character’s growth.
Why Bonanza Might Be a Sequel, Not a Prequel
All clues seem to point toward Bonanza being a sequel to Odyssey, not a precursor. The city is already developed. Characters reference past generations. There’s clear evidence of legacy, not origin. Even though Pauline is younger, she doesn’t seem to be the younger version of the Mayor — she’s likely a new character altogether, carrying the name forward.
The generational structure of the Donkey Kong family tree helps this idea make even more sense. Three generations of DKs, three generations of Paulines — and now, a story that pairs the youngest versions of each.
Nintendo's Flexible Approach to Canon and Lore
Still, here’s the curveball: Nintendo doesn’t care much about sticking to strict timelines. That’s not speculation — it’s pretty clear from how they handle franchises like The Legend of Zelda, where timelines are bent, broken, and fused together constantly.
So while we can build a strong case for Bonanza fitting after Odyssey and introducing Pauline as the granddaughter of Arcade Pauline, it’s all still speculative. Nintendo tends to treat its games like standalone experiences first, and interconnected lore second — if at all.
Why This Theory Feels Right Anyway
Despite the lack of official confirmation, the idea that Bonanza features the grandchildren of Donkey Kong and Pauline feels grounded and consistent. It explains character traits, maintains historical references, and honors the evolution of Nintendo’s most iconic characters without rewriting the past.
It also gives newer generations of fans a cast they can grow up with — younger characters, new friendships, and a modern take on classic legacy.
What the Ending Really Tells Us About Donkey Kong Bonanza
After all the climactic events, Bonanza closes with Pauline returning to New Donk City and performing a song for the people. It’s a quiet but meaningful ending. A new piece of artwork appears post-credits, hinting at her evolution and possibly showing her acceptance as a performer in the city she calls home.
But crucially, this ending doesn’t confirm much more about the game's place in the overall Donkey Kong and Mario timelines. There’s no direct dialogue or scene that clearly states, “This is a prequel” or “This is a continuation.” It leaves room for fan theories — and maybe that’s exactly what Nintendo intended.
The Mario Time Problem – Is He Aging at All?
Here’s the strangest part of all: Mario doesn’t seem to age. If the Donkey Kong and Pauline families have generations, where does that leave our red-capped plumber? If Jumpman was the rival of Arcade Donkey Kong, and Mario is still around interacting with Mayor Pauline in Odyssey — are Jumpman and Mario two different people?
Or is Mario just ageless?
It’s a strange idea, but it fits Nintendo’s style. Mario might be more of a symbol — a constant character archetype who shifts through eras without needing explanation. Whatever the case, the idea that he has crossed generations without aging does open up some surreal questions.
Nintendo’s Silent Hand on Canon
With everything examined — characters, city history, family lineage, and legacy roles — one truth remains: Nintendo rarely confirms or denies fan timelines. Even major sequels like Tears of the Kingdom throw consistency to the wind when it suits the gameplay or story.
So with Donkey Kong Bonanza, the best we can do is speculate. And the most consistent, least messy theory? That there are three Paulines across three generations. The original Arcade Pauline, Mayor Pauline, and now Teenage Pauline. It mirrors the three main Donkey Kongs. And that shared legacy feels like the point of Bonanza, even if Nintendo never spells it out.
Conclusion
Donkey Kong Bonanza is full of nods to Nintendo’s rich history, but its timeline placement isn’t explicitly confirmed. Still, the strongest theory supported by in-game dialogue, city references, and legacy characters is that this isn’t a prequel — it’s a continuation. Pauline isn’t just a younger version of someone we’ve already met; she’s likely the next in line, the granddaughter of Arcade Pauline and possibly the daughter of the Mayor we know from Super Mario Odyssey.
When you look at the generational evolution of Donkey Kong, from Cranky to Junior to the DK of today, a similar progression for Pauline just makes sense. Nintendo may never offer a solid timeline, but that doesn’t stop fans from piecing together what’s likely the most cohesive theory: that Bonanza represents the future of these characters — not their past.
FAQ
Is Donkey Kong Bonanza a prequel to Super Mario Odyssey?
No clear confirmation, but details like New Donk City’s existence and references to Pauline’s grandmother suggest it’s more of a sequel.
Who is Teenage Pauline in Donkey Kong Bonanza?
Teenage Pauline is likely the granddaughter of Arcade Pauline and possibly the daughter of Mayor Pauline, forming a three-generation legacy.
Does Donkey Kong Bonanza confirm a timeline?
Not officially. Nintendo leaves timeline interpretation open, and Bonanza follows that trend by including legacy references but no hard canon.
What role does New Donk City play in Bonanza?
It’s a fully built metropolis, already nicknamed “The Big Banana,” indicating the city existed well before Bonanza’s events.
Why doesn’t Mario age like other characters?
That remains a mystery. Either Mario is ageless, symbolic, or Nintendo simply doesn’t focus on aging or strict continuity in its franchises.
Stay Connected with Haplo Gaming Chef
Haplo Gaming Chef blends gaming guides with casual cooking streams for a truly unique viewer experience. Whether you’re here for clean, no-nonsense walkthroughs or just want to chill with some cozy cooking content between game sessions, this is the place for you. From full game unlock guides to live recipe prep and casual chats, Haplo Gaming Chef delivers content that’s both informative and enjoyable.
You Can Follow Along On Every Major Platform:
YouTube, Twitch, TikTok, Instagram, Twitter/X, Threads, Bluesky, Pinterest, Flipboard, Facebook, LinkedIn, Tumblr, Medium, Blogger, and even on Google Business.
No filler, no fluff—just straight-up help for gamers and fun for foodies. Join the community today!
For More Guides Visit: Haplo Gaming Chef Website!
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment